GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Kent County’s youngest killer will be leaving a juvenile youth facility and moving into a private home, even though he will continue as a ward of the court for up to two more years.
“I’m confident that you are going to do great,’’ Judge Paul Denenfeld told Jamarion Lawhorn during a review hearing on Monday. “I think you have turned into a good, responsible, kind human being.’’
Lawhorn has been held at Evart Youth Academy, formerly the Muskegon River Youth Home, since his conviction in the 2014 stabbing death of nine-year-old Connor Verkerke on a playground in Kentwood. Lawhorn was 12 at the time.
Lawhorn turns 19 in mid-March. Under the course of action approved Monday, he will transition into the home of Paula Creswell and her husband, who became advocates for Lawhorn after he entered the criminal justice system.
“I think your life is going to change dramatically,’’ Denenfeld said. “I wish you the very best in your new placement.’’
Lawhorn will return for another review hearing in six months.
"I want to say thanks for everybody that helped me out through this situation,'' Lawhorn said. "I’m gonna say, I know what’s expected of me. I know what I expect from myself. I know right from wrong. And I respect any decision that’s made today.’’
Lawhorn plunged a knife into the back of Connor Verkerke at Pinewood Village mobile home park after Verkerke fell off a slide. Prosecutors contend Lawhorn had been planning to kill someone for more than a year.
Defense attorney Charles Clapp said keeping Lawhorn under the supervision of the court after his 19th birthday makes sense while Lawhorn transitions back into society.
"And he’s aware of that and he agrees that he would like to have the jurisdiction extended,’’ Clapp said. "The next six months are critical for Jamarion to transition back into the community after being locked since he was essentially 12.’’
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